“Proud of our armed forces’ valour, bravery, vision”: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla amid India-Pak tensions

New Delhi [India], May 9 (ANI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla praised the armed forces on Friday for their valour, bravery and vision as the country sees escalating tensions with Pakistan in the aftermath of ‘Operation Sindoor,’ which was carried out in retaliation to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said, “We are proud of our armed forces – their valor, bravery, and vision. Just as the Indian Army has made our borders impregnable and strong, similarly, the Steel Frame of India, i.e., the Indian Civil Service, has played a vital role in shaping the country.”
He called upon the young civil servants to leave a legacy of service, guided by Indian values and democratic ideals and urged them to bring the sense of purpose, discipline, and service to their own roles in governance and public administration.
While addressing IAS Officer Trainees of 2023 batch, in Parliament premises on Friday, Birla exhorted the young officers to dedicate themselves to the vision of Viksit Bharat–a developed India that is just, inclusive, innovative, and globally respected.
He called on them to make this vision their daily motivation and guiding principle. Whether it is addressing the needs of backward and tribal areas, using technology to improve the lives of the poor, or ensuring last-mile delivery of services, he said the future of India depends on the strength and dedication of its civil servants.
Birla encouraged the trainees to engage in daily self-evaluation and strive to make tangible differences in the lives of citizens through transparent, responsive governance.
“With India undergoing a rapid socio-political transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, civil servants must lead from the front and act as catalysts in building a new, empowered India,” said Om Birla.
He invoked the vision of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who believed that a strong and principled administrative system was essential for safeguarding India’s unity and democracy in the turbulent period following independence.
Birla emphasised that the Indian civil service must always be guided by the spirit of Indian culture, remain sensitive to public sentiment, and support the continuous deepening of democracy and that administrative systems should ensure vigilant compliance with policies while always remaining people-centric and transparent.
Reflecting on India’s democratic journey, he stated that democracy is the most effective model of governance for ensuring transparency, accountability, and participation.
“Even countries that do not formally follow democratic systems, he noted, are seeking to introduce democratic features into their institutions. Debate, dialogue, and discussion are the lifeblood of a functioning democracy and are essential to achieving equitable and sustainable development,” he said.
Lok Sabha Speaker has emphasised the need for greater adoption of technology by IAS officers to enhance governance efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.
Highlighting the transformative role of digital tools in today’s administrative landscape, the Speaker urged officers to proactively integrate emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and e-governance platforms into their daily functioning.
He noted that leveraging technology can bridge the gap between the government and citizens, streamline public service mechanisms, and ensure faster decision-making.
The Speaker also stressed the importance of continuous upskilling to keep pace with the rapidly evolving tech ecosystem, asserting that a tech-savvy bureaucracy is vital for building a future-ready and citizen-centric administration.
Calling the selection into the IAS one of the most challenging and prestigious achievements, Birla said that these officers now carry the responsibility of contributing meaningfully to India’s progress. He reminded them that their efforts must not only be efficient but transformational–leaving behind a legacy of work that serves the poorest and most vulnerable sections of society.
Birla expressed pride in the record number of women in this batch–73 in total–saying that their representation reflects the growing inclusivity and diversity in the civil services and is a strong indicator of India’s changing societal fabric. Overall, 180 IAS officer trainees of the 2023 batch attended the programme.
Birla concluded by calling on the officer trainees to commit themselves to serving with integrity, humility, and vision, so that their work becomes part of the nation’s enduring legacy. (ANI)

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